Posts tagged pan-africanism

This generation should place economic independence at the centre of its vision for the continent, says Blessing Vava

It is crucial that we increase women’s participation in political and decision-making structures, from grassroots level and up, says Blessing Vava.

Recent xenophobic and Afrophobic utterances by Julius Malema and Floyd Shivambu, two of the leading figures in South Africa’s EFF party, fly in the face of Africanism and ubuntu, says Blessing Vava.

In partnership with the Heinrich Böll Foundation, This is Africa explores the changing meaning of icons and which African leaders qualify as icons.

Ghanaian President Akufo-Addo’s quest to see Africa move beyond aid was once again on full display, after his latest speech in the presence of French president Macron sent a strong message to the western world.

The Africa rising narrative is hinged on Africa being economically integrated. The AfroChampions Initiative is set to mobilise African multinationals to accelerate the economic integration of the continent. The president of the AfroChampions Club is Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote and former leader of South Africa Thabo Mbeki is the president of the AfricaChampions Initiative, setup to mobilise African multinationals to drive economic integration.

Today we celebrate the birth of Marcus Garvey, a proponent of the Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism movements, inspiring the Nation of Islam and the Rastafarian movement.

The Pan-African passport launched in July last year was created to facilitate the ease of movement between African countries. Unfortunately, the passport availed to Heads of States and diplomats has not been made accessible to the citizens who need it the most. For the majority of Africans, the African passport remains a pipe dream, still a preserve for a few.

South Africa is turmoil, and the safety and security of African migrants remains precarious following violent anti-immigrants attacks. The xenophobic (Afrophobic) attacks are not new, and the resurgence of attacks on fellow African nationals reveals a problematic phenomenon, an unreasonable and unjustifiable fear and hatred of African immigrants. The attacks on African nationals is incongruent with the spirit of Ubuntu, is at odds at odds with the values embraced by the Constitution, and flies in the face the Pan-Africanism values espoused by the country’s founding heroes and heroines.

We need to get beyond past talk of Africa’s great potential to action. Dr Richard Munang and Mr Robert Mgendi suggest sustainable ecosystem-based adaptation-driven agriculture as a measure that is practical and has already succeeded in parts of Africa.